Garai, Spain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garai
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Overview of Garai
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Location of Garai within Biscay
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 Garai
Location in Basque Country
Garai
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  País Vasco |
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| Province | Biscay | ||
| Comarca | Durangaldea | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 7.12 km2 (2.75 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 300 m (1,000 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 320 | ||
| • Density | 44.9/km2 (116.4/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Garaitarra | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
48200
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Garai is a small town and municipality in the Basque Country, Spain. It is located in the province of Biscay. Garai is part of the region called Durangaldea. In 2009, about 318 people lived there.
What's in a Name? Garai's Meaning
The full name of the town used to be San Miguel de Garay. The name "Garai" might come from two things. First, Garai is in an upper area of Durangaldea. In the Basque language, garai means "upper" or "the upper part".
Second, the name could be linked to hórreos. These are special old buildings used for storing food. They are very common in this part of Biscay. In Basque, these buildings are sometimes called garaidxe. So, San Miguel de Garay could mean "San Miguel of the upper part" or "San Miguel of the hórreos".
For a long time, the town's name was spelled "Garay". But new rules for the Basque language changed the correct spelling to "Garai". In the 1990s, the town officially changed its name to Garai.
A Look Back: Garai's History
Like many old towns, we don't know exactly when Garai was founded. It was part of the ancient region of Durango. This meant Garai had a voice and a vote in important local meetings. The town was divided into two areas. People mostly worked in farming. They grew corn, wheat, different vegetables, legumes, cherries, apples, and chestnuts.
In the oldest part of Garai, there is an old palace-farmhouse called Garatikua. It was built by Juan de Garay, who was a governor in Paraguay. In the 1800s, this building was known as "Garay-Goitia".
On May 1, 1966, a group briefly took over the town. They cut the telephone lines. They also painted messages on walls. They raised the Ikurriña, which was a flag that was not allowed at the time. The group left the town before the police arrived.
Garai's Location and Size
Garai is located in the eastern part of the province of Biscay. This area is in northern Spain. The town is part of the comarca (region) of Durangaldea. Garai covers an area of about 7.12 square kilometers.
Garai shares its borders with other towns. To the north and east, it borders Berriz. To the south, it borders Abadiño. To the west, it borders Iurreta.
